Risk Factors for Hearing Loss

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop hearing loss with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing hearing loss. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors for hearing loss include:

With the natural aging process comes wear and tear on the ears that can affect the ability to hear soft sounds and understand speech at normal conversation levels. Loss of hearing from this process is called
presbycusis
. It occurs slowly over time and appears to run in families.

There are some genetic disorders that increase the risk for hearing loss. For example,
otosclerosis
occurs when abnormal new bones form in the inner ear, which then affect proper functioning of other parts of the ear.
Usher syndrome
is a disorder that affects both hearing and vision in children.
Any conditions associated with craniofacial abnormalities also increase the risk of hearing loss.

Exposure to loud noise is a major cause of and risk factor for hearing loss. Loud sounds can cause damage to the hearing nerve and hair cells in the inner ear. The loss can be caused by a single exposure to loud noise, such as an explosion, or by repeated exposure to loud sounds over a period of time, such as loud machinery in a workplace or loud music.

Loud noise can occur on the job from construction, factory, farm, or airport work, especially with the use of heavy equipment. Some recreational activities also involve loud noise that can lead to hearing loss, such as loud music, shooting guns, and the engines of motorcycles and snowmobiles. Harmful noises in the home can come from equipment such as vacuum cleaners, gas-powered lawn mowers, and shop tools.

Ear protection is somewhat effective in reducing the risk of hearing loss.

Some antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs can damage the ear. High doses of aspirin can increase the risk of temporary hearing loss or ringing in the ear.

Smoking may act as a toxin, harm blood flow to the cochlea, or change blood consistency. Decreasing or
quitting smoking
may prevent or delay age-related hearing loss.

Recurrent ear infections in childhood, especially those that are not treated properly, may cause irreversible damage to the middle ear and the cochlea and may lead to hearing impairments later in life.

Risk for hearing loss is increased by diseases that result in blocked blood flow, including
atherosclerosis
, problems with blood clots, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and collagen vascular diseases. Illnesses that lead to injury through infection, such as
meningitis
, may harm the cochlea.
Meniere’s disease
, which involves changes in the fluid in the inner ear, can lead to hearing loss. Tumors, such as acoustic neuroma, and neurologic diseases also increase the risk of hearing loss.

Radiation therapy
is a common treatment for head and neck cancer. Radiation in the region of the ears can lead to damage of the inner ear and permanent hearing loss.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.